Sierra Vista Relocation (Tucson: 2009, apartment, renting)

[AZGOLFER]

The commute to Douglas from Sierra Viasta is 51.22 miles...the road for the most part, is heavly travled with people going to work for the Border Patrol in Douglas...most of the road/highway is one lane each way...I agree with you, I would rather live in Sierra Vista over Douglas...Douglas is basically a rundown border town...I did hear that Sierra Vista does have a high rate of people getting cancer...you might want to do some research on that...I know it has been on the news about the high rate of cancer...they think the military has something to do with it...if you check google I'm sure you can find several articles about it

[SierraVistaResident]

Sierra Vista/Hereford is relatively safe. Hereford is rural and about an hour's drive from Douglas, all highway. As for illegals, even though they cross through here, we seldom see them, they are mostly passing through. If you decide to settle in Hereford, just fence the property and get a couple of big dogs, then you can leave your windows open at night (that's what I do). You are going to love it here. The weather is great, there is virtually no pollution, sunsets are beautiful, and the mountain view are breathtaking. I live in Hereford and I love going home. My husband and I sit outside every evening with a glass of wine and watch the sun set. What a way to unwind!

As for work, check out USAjobs.com to get a government job on Ft. Huachuca (they pay better).

Sales tax is about 8%.

When are you moving out here.

mod cut

Mucha suerte con su mudanza!

[LordBalfor]

Originally Posted by SierraVistaResident

Sierra Vista/Hereford is relatively safe. Hereford is rural and about an hour's drive from Douglas, all highway. As for illegals, even though they cross through here, we seldom see them, they are mostly passing through. If you decide to settle in Hereford, just fence the property and get a couple of big dogs, then you can leave your windows open at night (that's what I do). You are going to love it here. The weather is great, there is virtually no pollution, sunsets are beautiful, and the mountain view are breathtaking. I live in Hereford and I love going home. My husband and I sit outside every evening with a glass of wine and watch the sun set. What a way to unwind!

Yeah I still think back on that breathtaking view to the SE from the Hereford area. One of my favorite views in all of Arizona actually. What a lovely spot.

Ken

[jcs1956]

Sierra Vista Resident,
We just purchased 4 acres in Hereford,we have our home up for sale in PA.My aunt just built in Hereford and she loves it.Whats the story /hawks can they or would they kill a dog?We are going for a visit on 11/17 so my husband can see it.He has never been there.Your post was so positive,thank you .
Jennifer

[srblue]

Yes, thanks SierraVistaResident. We're coming in December for a visit and to secure a rental. I think we're going to wait to buy until my husband is back from all of his training. We're thinking of renting in Hereford because we have three dogs already - definitely need a big yard and pet-friendly landlord!

Don't know about Ft. Huachuca - I'm working for the Coast Guard as a civilian and we live in military housing and I'm kind of burnt out on the military structure, although I'm sure the Coast Guard is different from the Army. From what I've heard it's really hard to get a federal job right now, because there are so many veterans returning from Iraq who have preference (as they should).

[vpo3]

I lived in sierra vista for 20 years before moving back east. on the positive side, sierra vista is surrounded by mountains which are close in and very beautiful. there is not much gang activity. the weather is great in the winter (50-60 degrees during the day). at night however, you need to turn the heat on because the temperature drops 30 degrees in the evening (winter or summer). winter is kind of a laugh, even though s.v. is high altitude (5200 feet). it does not snow very much. if it does, the reliable sun comes out and it is usually gone by noon. a lot of winter visitors (snow birds) come from canada and cold u.s. states and stay until may when it starts to heat up.
normal temperature in the summer is high 90's, although it does get up into the low 100's some times. however, the humidity is very low (usually only 20% in summer). even so, it dried out my sinuses and gave me constant sinus infections, and the intense sunshine caused me migraines.
cochise college , which i attended, is a good community college (in my opinion). a lot of kids do their basic classes there before going on to the university of arizona in tucson or to the university satellite location in s.v., which are expensive.
on the negative side, wages are low and apartments and real estate are expensive. it is cheaper in hereford area, which is about 20 minutes south of s.v. before i left s.v. in july 2006, waves of people had begun to move in from more expensive areas like california. at that time, real estate was cheap. however, since then, real estate is much more expensive. i heard people say "you don't get your money's worth."
also, if you can't stand high heat in the summer and very direct sun (arizona has the most skin cancer in the u.s.), then this is not the place for you. above all, visit in the summer (and also in the winter, if possible) before you make your decision.

[vpo3]

know this--if fort huachuca (home of military intelligence) went away, sierra vista would die. the only reason it exists is to service the fort. also, there is no culture there or anything for teenagers to do. that's why they drag-race on back streets and go down to mexico to party and drink under-age.

[srblue]

Thanks for the info vp03.

Right now we're in Puerto Rico, so the intense sun will be nothing new to us. At least we won't start sweating the minute we walk out the door. I have noticed that real estate is pretty high still, but I have seen a lot of price reductions lately. My parents lived in Gallup, NM for 10 years so I'm guessing it's a little like that weather-wise. As for lack fo teen activities, it's been that way everywhere I've lived, even Northern California (just north of San Francisco), the Baltimore area, and here in military housing - you'd think parents of teens would do something about that but many seem to just want them out of the house for a while.

Anyway, love it or hate it, it's our destination for at least 5-10 years since my husband already has a federal job lined up there. But I love all of this input - really helps me get prepared. I'll be happy just to live someplace where people stop at stop signs most of the time and you don't have to wait two hours at the doctor!

[diablogun]

I recently moved here, it is absolutely beautiful, with great weather and nice people. Like your husband I work for the Feds, and when he gets done with FLETC you will really enjoy it here. I just bought a new house and couldn't be happier.

[carecare7]

Just FYI, some time ago I read that the American Cancer Society or some such organization found evidence of a cancer cluster in the Sierra Vista area. They were investigating it but I haven't read anything about it since. It is something you might want to look into just to be on the safe side. I hope it was a false alarm because I loved SV and the Fort when I lived there in 73, 74 and early 75. Good luck!